A suspected serial killer linked to the infamous Gilgo Beach murders on Long Island was arrested, reports confirmed.
Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old married architect employed by a New York City firm, was nabbed after investigators discovered that DNA from victim Megan Waterman’s hair matched his own.
The DNA sample had been collected from a discarded pizza crust earlier this year.
Law enforcement officers arrested Heuermann on Thursday after conducting surveillance at his residence on 1st Avenue in Massapequa Park, Long Island, and his office located at 385 Fifth Ave in Manhattan.
Authorities said that Heuermann’s arrest is specifically related to the so-called “Gilgo Four” case, involving the discovery of women whose bodies were wrapped in burlap in late 2010.
During his appearance in court on Friday afternoon, Heuermann displayed a lack of emotion as he pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and other charges associated with the deaths of three women over a decade ago.
Furthermore, he was identified as the prime suspect in a fourth killing. Prior to his court appearance, New York Post reported several shocking revelations related to his alleged crimes.
“Heuermann’s wife’s DNA was believed to be found on three of the victims’ bodies. DNA testing on a water bottle from outside Heuermann’s home was determined to be a match to a sample of a woman’s hair found on tape used to tie up Costello and Waterman, as well as the belt used to bind victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes’ feet,” the report revealed.
The Gilgo Beach murders initially drew attention when the body of Melissa Barthelemy was discovered along Ocean Parkway on December 11, 2010, followed by the subsequent discovery of the remains of three other women in the following days.
The victims, collectively known as the “Gilgo Four” — Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes — were found intact and wrapped in burlap, approximately one-tenth of a mile from each other on the beach.
Friday’s arrest comes after the creation of a special Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force by Suffolk County’s new police commissioner in February of last year.
The task force was established in collaboration with state police, local sheriffs, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and the FBI.
“This is a day that is a long time in coming, and hopefully a day that will bring peace to this community and to the families — peace that has been long overdue,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
